Lancers up game

The University of the Visayas Green Lancers made a mental note not to make the same mistakes as they scored a 78-63 revenge win over the Southwestern University Cobras to bag the 2017 St. Isidore Parish Fiesta Inter-Collegiate Invitational Basketball Cup in St. Bernard, in Southern Leyte.

The concerted efforts of Liberian import Bassieru Sackor and the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) MVP Rey Suerte combined for 35 points and UV regained control of the game after trailing by 10 points early in the second quarter.

SWU opened the third period with a quick 8-0 run, but the Lancers answered with a 23-10 blitz to lead, 55-47, at the start of the final period.

The Cobras tried to give a tough fight, but Sackor, Suerte and Tristan Albina dropped another searing 21-7 run to keep the Lancers out of harm’s way, 78-58, with less than two minutes left in the game.

UV pocketed the P100,000 cash prize, while SWU settled for P70,000 cash.

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), on the other hand, got the P50,000 prize for placing third after beating the University of San Carlos Warriors, 74-68, in overtime for third place.

USPF started the game strong and led by as much as 17 points, 41-24 in the second period, and held their ground when the Warriors were threatening to steal the game.

USPF had Nigerian Rich Managor scoring 18 points, and Kim Bajamunde adding 15 markers, including the buzzer-beating jumper that sent the game into an extra period at 61-all.

USC and fifth placer University of Cebu Webmasters collected P20,000 as consolation prize. /